2006 Cos d'Estournel, St-Estèphe

“Cos d'Estournel has softened those austere Saint-Estèphe tannins and produced a wine that is all opulence and roundness. The tannins are certainly there, but they come through as big, bold richness. The power suggests it will age well, but for drinking earlier, the freshness of the sweet homemade plum jam promises well. (RV)” (03/2009)

“Blended of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2006 Cos d'Estournel is deep garnet colored with a touch of brick, opening with enticing scents of rosemary-crusted roast lamb, dried cherries, baked blackcurrants and mincemeat pie with touches of fallen leaves, cigar box and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, lively and elegantly played in the mouth, it has a firm backbone of chewy tannins and plenty of mineral accents on the long finish. (LPB)” (11/2018)

“There is still an austerity to this wine, and the firm cassis fruit has a power and push of its own — similar to the 2008 vintage in many ways. The tannins are pulling their weight by deepening the structure and filling out the fruit. They were strict, almost cubic, during the first few years and it is only now that they are starting to come around. This vintage was extremely hot in June, and things got more complicated as harvest approached. Today, the nudging ripeness of the fruit emphasises pepper, mint and eucalyptus — creating a fresh core that might have been tough when young but it’s become a benefit over time. This is a very good and enjoyable wine with plenty to say, with hints of tertiary notes emerging. (JA)” (07/2018)

“Expressive aromas of dark raspberry, smoked meat, black olive, iron, smoke and tobacco. Lush, broad and sweet, with a deep smoky, meaty sweetness and outstanding palate coverage. For all its breadth and silkiness, there's no shortage of energy and definition. Finishes impressively long, with chewy, sweet tannins that dust the front teeth. (ST)” (05/2009)

“A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2006 Cos d’Estournel has a medium garnet color with a touch of brick. Slowly, it unfurls with soft-spoken scents of black raspberries, Morello cherries, and dried Provence herbs, plus touches of pencil shavings and fallen leaves. The medium-bodied palate is surprisingly youthful, with pleasantly chewy tannins and racy tension lifting the red berry and herbal flavors, finishing with a real skip in its step. Flirting with the crunchy side of ripeness, it’s aging slowly. Very nicely done! (LPB)” (03/2024)

“This is very meaty and spicy now with hints of leaves and wet earth. Full body, chewy tannins and a medium finish. Ready for drinking. But has life ahead of it.” (11/2015)

“A racy, fresh style, with the lighter profile of the vintage pulling in red currant and bitter cherry flavors, while the telltale thread of charcoal and bay lingers as well. The tannins are ever so slightly grainy, but the fruit has subtle persistence in the end. (JM)” (03/2016)

“The 2006 Cos d’Estournel, for my mind, has always been leagues above its rival, Montrose, principally because its rival took a rare misstep in this vintage. It has an attractive ferrous bouquet with undergrowth and hints of Indian spice. The palate is medium-bodied and quite fleshy for Saint-Estèphe, the Merlot in quite expressive. The texture has a satisfying graininess and that spiciness returns towards the rather conservative, steadfast finish. It is a solid Cos d’Estournel, not one from the very top drawer, but it should provide another 15 years of drinking pleasure. (NM)” (10/2018)

“Fabulous, open and complex on the nose – ripe fruit with an autumnal decay aroma to it, and earthy notes that give beautiful complexity. Clay-textured tannin, still firm but already drinkable. Long, fragrant finish. Reasonably light bodied leading to a caressing finish. Lovely! (RH)” (09/2017)